When Shreyas Iyer slammed his third ODI century, in the 2nd ODI against Australia in Indore, many must have felt that he has finally sealed the number 4 spot for the World Cup 2023. However, in the same game, Suryakumar Yadav gave further evidence of his own destructive abilities by smashing 72* runs in 37 balls.
He had also scored a brilliant half-century – 50 runs in 49 balls – in the 1st ODI in Mohali when India were in a tricky situation at 185/4 in the run-chase of 276.
Given Shreyas Iyer’s famous abilities against spin bowling, he’s all but certain to start the World Cup 2023 at number 4. But Suryakumar Yadav, with his twin fifties, has made a strong case for inclusion as a finisher.
Shreyas Iyer is confirmed for No. 4; Suryakumar will have to wait: Virender Sehwag
Former India batsman Virender Sehwag has picked Shreyas Iyer to be a certain starter and to bat at the number 4 position, for India in the World Cup. Sehwag opined that SKY hasn’t done enough in the ODI format yet to tip Iyer for a place in the side.
“Suryakumar hasn’t done anything big yet in ODI cricket. He only bats in those final 15-20 overs where he utilises his T20 abilities which undoubtedly is important as well,” Sehwag said on Cricbuzz.
“But Hardik, Ishan and Rahul can all do that same job as well. So Iyer is confirmed for No. 4. Suraykumar will have to wait and if he does get a chance at No. 4 he has to score a big hundred and show that he can also score a ton as well.
“We thought Ishan Kishan could fit in somewhere in the line-up, but that hundred which Shreyas Iyer scored, if he plays at No. 4 then it will be Iyer, Rahul and Hardik at No. 4, 5 and 6 respectively.”
Sehwag believes even Ishan Kishan should be ahead than Suryakumar in the pecking order as Ishan Kishan hit 82 runs vs Pakistan in the Asia Cup batting in the middle-order and also brings the left-handedness in the batting order.
“Now it depends on how India look at this combination, whether they feel Hardik will certainly bowl 10 overs because that will give India an extra bowler. So then Suryakumar cannot fit in there and even if there is a slot, then Ishan should be picked ahead because he is a left-hander which had happened in Asia Cup,” Sehwag added.
